Plant and Soil最新文献

{"title":"Reducing plant-derived ethylene enhances crop growth and soil functions under drought stress in subtropical agroecosystems","authors":"Jing Feng, Xiaocen Tian, Yanjun Liu, Xiaoqi Zhou","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07481-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07481-9","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>The increasing frequency of future drought events will negatively impact agroecosystem functions, such as inhibiting crop growth and reducing soil functions. Previous studies have shown that plant-derived ethylene plays an important role in responses to drought, but its effects on crop growth and soil functions in agroecosystems have not been validated.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>We reduced the concentration of ethylene released from crops under drought stress by adding an ethylene inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), and investigated the effects of AVG on the growth and soil functions of <i>Brassica oleracea var. capitata</i> Linnaeus, a common crop in subtropical agriculture, for one growing season. We measured soil respiration, soil extractable carbon, nitrogen content, and soil microbial activity to characterize soil functions, and also observed changes in soil microbial community structure.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Drought caused significant negative effects on crop growth and soil functions, whereas reducing the concentration of plant-derived ethylene significantly mitigated the adverse effects of drought on agroecosystem functions, thereby promoting crop growth and soil functions. The underlying microbial mechanisms include the application of AVG under drought conditions, which remodels the soil microbial community structure. This lead to an increase in the relative abundance of Gram-negative bacteria, such as Aspergillus, which has a significant correlation with crop growth and soil function.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>This study demonstrates that reducing plant-derived ethylene under drought can alleviate its detrimental effects on crop growth and soil functions in agroecosystems. This provides a scientific foundation for sustainable management of agriculture in the face of climate change in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143880341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacterial boost: improving Atriplex nummularia phytoremediation of saline soils through bacterial inoculation","authors":"Carolline Silva Barbosa Fazolato, Millena Salles Araujo, Luiz Fernando Martins, Douglas Alfradique Monteiro, Caio Tavora Coelho da Costa Rachid","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07486-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07486-4","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background</h3><p>One significant challenge to food security is the expansion of salt-affected soils. Current soil recovery methods are technically or economically unfeasible in extensive arid regions. Phytoremediation, the use of plants to rehabilitate contaminated environments, is a promising, low-cost alternative. This study aimed at enhancing the growth and biomass accumulation of the halophyte <i>Atriplex nummularia</i> through inoculation with plant growth-promoting bacteria.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>An integrated approach to select endophytic bacteria was used, combining culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques. Over 700 bacterial strains were isolated and screened for plant growth-promoting traits such as phosphate solubilization, indolic acid production, nitrogen fixation and stress alleviation. Then, root and leaf bacterial consortia were formulated to enhance plant growth and phytoremediation efficiency. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to assess the impact of these consortia on <i>A. nummularia</i> seedlings in saline soil conditions for 120 days. The design included four treatments: control (no inoculation), root inoculation, leaf inoculation, and combined root and leaf inoculation.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Results showed that bacterial inoculation significantly improved plant growth and biomass yield. Leaf-inoculated plants showed enhanced sodium removal from the soil, indicating improved soil conditions. Endophytic bacteriome analysis revealed that inoculation slightly altered the bacterial community composition in both roots and leaves. These changes were most pronounced in the combined inoculation treatment, suggesting a cooperative interaction between root and foliar bacteria, affecting the plant bacteriome.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>This study highlights the potential of using plant growth-promoting bacteria to enhance the phytoremediation capabilities of <i>A. nummularia</i>, offering an improved strategy for the sustainable management of saline soils.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143876054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The relationships between the vertical distribution of fine roots and soil chemical properties are driven by tree spacing in subtropical plantations in China","authors":"Jian Feng, Yunxing Bai, Yunchao Zhou, Manyi Fan, Piao Wang, Xiaoai Yin, Haiyang Guan, Panming Tang","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07487-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07487-3","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>The traits and distribution of fine roots determines the life and productivity of a stand, and studying how tree spacing in plantation forests affects the vertical distribution of fine roots and their relationship to soil chemistry is crucial.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>We conducted research on a 38-year-old <i>Pinus massoniana</i> plantation to determine the effect of tree spacing on fine roots in subtropical plantation forests. Fine roots and soil were collected using the root auger method from five soil horizons (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm) in sample plots with different tree spacings [1.2 × 1.7 m (Spacing 1), 2.2 × 1.7 m (Spacing 2), and 3.2 × 1.7 m (Spacing 3)], and soil chemical properties, root distribution parameters (root length density, root surface area density, root volume density, and root dry weight density) and root traits [specific root length (SRL), specific root surface area (SRA), root tip density and branch density] were analysed.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The study found that tree spacing had significant effects on fine root distribution and traits (SRL and SRA) that outperformed soil chemical properties. Changes in fine root distribution were most noticeable as tree spacing increased at the surface (0–10 cm, increasing) and deeper soil layers (40–50 cm, decreasing). Spacing 2 and 3 significantly increased root distribution parameters and traits in the 0–30 cm soil layer, but decreased in the 30–50 cm layer. Overall, spacing 2 and 3 improved parameters of root distribution (4.29% and 26.77%) as well as traits (3.92% and 26.42%) compared to spacing 1. Furthermore, important soil chemistry parameters influencing fine root distribution and traits changed with tree spacing.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>This study found that tree spacing, rather than soil chemistry, had a substantial effect on fine root traits and distribution in plantation forests, altering their interrelationships.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143876046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The salt bladder is essential for Atriplex canescens in response to salinity by regulating the ion homeostasis and water balance","authors":"Shan Wang, Le Zhang, Huan Guo, Shan Feng, Ai-Ke Bao","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07430-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07430-6","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Salt bladders are specialized epidermal structures on the external aerial surfaces of certain recretohalophyte species and are generally believed to be related to salt tolerance. However, recent conflicting findings in quinoa raised questions about their exact function. Our previous studies suggested that salt bladders likely contribute to the salinity adaptation of the halophyte <i>Atriplex canescens</i>, but further direct confirmation is required.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>The morphology and regeneration of salt bladders on leaf surface were examined using scanning electron microscope. The contribution of salt bladders to the salt tolerance of <i>A. canescens</i> was assessed by gently removing them from the surfaces of leaves and stems.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Salt bladders of <i>A. canescens</i> exhibited remarkable regenerative capacity, which was significantly enhanced under NaCl treatments. Removing salt bladders weakened the salt tolerance of <i>A. canescens</i>, as plants lacking salt bladders (Br) showed significant declines in growth and photosynthetic capacity compared to intact plants (NBr) under saline conditions. Br plants also accumulated higher levels of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in stems and leaves while retaining more K⁺ in roots than NBr plants when exposed to NaCl. Furthermore, the absence of salt bladders significantly reduced leaf relative water content, leaf succulence, excised-leaf water loss rate, and the water potential difference from root to leaf under saline conditions.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>This study provides direct evidence that salt bladders are essential for the salt tolerance of <i>A. canescens</i> by maintaining ion homeostasis and water balance, highlighting their critical role in enabling this species to thrive in saline environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143876045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Relationships between soil phytolith assemblages and vegetation of different steppe types of the central and eastern Inner Mongolia Plateau, China","authors":"Yuexiang Zhang, Dehui Li, Chenshu Wei, Qinghai Xu, Linjing Liu, Shengrui Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07458-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07458-8","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Phytolith analysis is an effective tool for steppe paleovegetation reconstruction, but many questions remain regarding quantitative relationships between surface soil phytolith assemblages and vegetation cover.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Phytolith analysis was conducted on 86 surface soil samples from the central and eastern Inner Mongolia Plateau to examine phytolith assemblages under meadow steppe, typical steppe, and desert steppe in this temperate Eurasian steppe region. This paper determined the most indicative phytoliths, developed discrimination criteria for these three steppe types, and built models of quantitative relationships between phytolith assemblages and vegetation cover using the Random Forest (RF) algorithm and the Weighted Average Partial Least Squared (WA-PLS) method which can be used for regional paleovegetation reconstruction.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>(1) The R<span>ONDEL FLAT</span> phytolith morphotype indicates meadow steppe; the T<span>RAPEZOID</span> morphotype indicates typical steppe; and the R<span>ONDEL ECHINATE</span>, B<span>ILOBATE</span> <i>Stipa</i>, and R<span>ONDEL CARINATE</span> morphotypes indicate desert steppe. (2) Different steppe types can be distinguished by percentages of R<span>ONDEL ECHINATE</span>, A<span>CUTE BULBOSUS</span>, and T<span>RAPEZOID</span>: R<span>ONDEL ECHINATE</span> ≥ 2.9% indicates desert steppe; R<span>ONDEL ECHINATE</span> &lt; 2.9%, AC<span>UTE BULBOSUS</span> &lt; 7.0%, and T<span>RAPEZOID</span> &lt; 23.2% indicate meadow steppe. (3) While the results from the RF and WA-PLS models are slightly different (R² = 0.85 and R² = 0.82, respectively), both models adequately reflect the quantitative relationships between surface phytoliths and vegetation in the study area.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Surface soil phytolith assemblages can distinguish meadow steppe, typical steppe, and desert steppe; soil phytolith analysis is a useful tool for quantitative paleovegetation reconstruction in temperate steppe regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143876047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tailored cover crop mixtures enhance soil phosphorus cycling but not wheat yield in a short-term column experiment","authors":"Henrique Rasera Raniro, Christiana Staudinger, Karin Hage-Ahmed, Dorette S. Müller-Stöver, Jakob Santner","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07488-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07488-2","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Phosphorus (P) accumulation as “legacy P” in soils presents a challenge and an opportunity for sustainable agriculture. Cover crops (CCs) have been investigated for their P-acquisition strategies, but studies mainly focus on single species. We examined whether CC mixtures enhance P cycling compared to individual CCs by improving P uptake, soil P dynamics, and supporting subsequent wheat growth.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>The CC species <i>Avena strigosa</i> Schreb. (black oat), <i>Phacelia tanacetifolia</i> Benth. (phacelia), <i>Trifolium alexandrinum</i> L. (berseem clover), <i>Fagopyrum esculentum</i> Moench (buckwheat), <i>Linum usitatissimum</i> L. (linseed), <i>Guizotia abyssinica</i> [Lf] Cass. (ramtil) and <i>Sinapis alba</i> L. (white mustard) were cultivated individually or in mixtures in columns containing low-P soil over two 80-day cycles. After incorporating CC biomass, summer wheat was grown to maturity. Measurements included CC biomass and P uptake, soil pH, potential phosphatase activity, P fractions, and wheat P uptake and yield.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Five out of seven CC mixtures showed higher biomass than single species, and all mixtures achieved greater P uptake. Mixtures increased alkaline phosphatase activity compared to fallow and single CCs. After the wheat cycle, soil treated with mixtures had the highest labile P and reduced moderately labile P by ~ 35% more than single CCs. Nevertheless, wheat P uptake and yield remained largely unaffected.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>CC mixtures improved P mobilization, uptake, and phosphatase activity compared to single CCs, but this did not translate into improved wheat performance. The findings highlight the potential of CC mixtures to mobilize P, suggesting enhanced P use efficiency and soil P availability.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143872981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Organic fertilizer replacing 20% of chemical nitrogen improves yield and soil quality while reducing N2O emissions in waxy maize","authors":"Keqiang Jiang, Aizhong Yu, Yulong Wang, Pengfei Wang, Yongpan Shang, Bo Yin, Yalong Liu, Dongling Zhang, Jianzhe Huo, Xiaoneng Pang, Feng Wang","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07494-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07494-4","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Background and aims</h3><p>Waxy maize is highly preferred by consumers due to its high nutritional value. However, farmers' long-term intensive cultivation, driven by the sole pursuit of high yield, has led to a decline in soil quality and an increase in environmental costs. Optimal combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers (CAOIF) has been demonstrated to improve soil fertility and crop yield. However, it remains to be further studied whether this model can enhance soil quality and reduce N₂O emissions while maintaining crop yield. This study aimed to explore the responses of N₂O emissions, soil quality and yield in a maize field to the replacement of different proportions of equivalent N in chemical fertilizer (CF) with organic fertilizer (OF). It also analyzed the relationships between soil properties and N₂O emissions, soil quality, and yield.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>This experiment used a completely randomized block design with five treatments of OF replacing different ratios of CF, including 0% (NPK), 10% (OF1), 20% (OF2), 30% (OF3), and 40% (OF4).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Soil N₂O emissions and N₂O warming potential (GWP) decreased as proportion of OF substitution increased. Compared with the NPK treatment, N₂O emissions in the OF2, OF3 and OF4 treatments decreased by 7.9%, 13.6% and 17.1%, respectively. This reduction was primarily attributed to the biological fixation of inorganic nitrogen by OF in place of CF. Furthermore, compared with the NPK treatment, the OF1, OF2, OF3 and OF4 treatments significantly improved soil properties (SOM, TP, BD, C: N, MBC and MBN), and increased soil quality index (SQI) by 12.3%, 30.0%, 19.7% and 16.2%, respectively. The yield of fresh ears (EY) and fresh grains (GY) of waxy maize treated with OF2 increased by 6.1% and 6.7%, respectively, compared to the NPK treatment. The structural equation model (SEM) showed that soil quality had a significant positive effect on crop yield.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Replacing 40% of CF with OF achieved the greatest reduction in N₂O emissions. However, its yield and soil quality were significantly lower than when 20% of CF is replaced by OF. Therefore, using OF to replace 20% of CF is recommended as a nitrogen management strategy for waxy maize production, as it improves soil fertility, increases yield, and reduces N₂O emissions. This study is helpful to guide the scientific application of CAOIF in agricultural production, and provide valuable insights for reducing fertilization and increasing yield of crops while promoting the development of environment-friendly agriculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143876041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Canopy density affects nutrient limitation and soil quality index in a secondary forest, in China","authors":"Wenju Chen, Xin Zhang, Yanqiu Wang, Junzhe Wang, Yuchao Zhi, Runqin Wu, Dexiang Wang","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07429-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07429-z","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>Forest canopy density can change the soil function and quality by altering the understory microenvironment. A comprehensive assessment of soil quality is essential for the development of sustainable forest management practices.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different canopy densities including forest gap (FG), forest edge (FE), medium-canopy density 0.4–0.6 (MCD), and high-canopy density 0.7–0.9 (HCD) on soil properties and soil quality index (SQI), and further to determine the main indicators that influence soil quality. The SQI was calculated using principal component analysis (PCA) and minimum data set (MDS) for indicator selection and weight assignment.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Our results showed that pH decreased significantly with increasing canopy density (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). In addition, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total phosphorus (TP) were significantly improved, and soil microbial phosphorus limitation gradually changed to nitrogen limitation with increasing canopy density. The SQI values ranged from 0.37 to 0.62, with the highest value in MCD. The MDS including leucine aminopeptidase (LAP; weight 0.27), soil available potassium (AK; weight 0.25), soil total nitrogen (TN; weight 0.23), and soil available phosphorus (SAP; weight 0.26) accounted for 80.79% of the variation in soil quality index.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Overall, the findings collectively indicated that medium canopy density (MCD) was beneficial for maintaining SQI. This study provides guidance for the sustainable management of a secondary forest.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143867025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differences in nutrient content between heterospecific plant neighbours affect respiration rates of rhizosphere microbiota","authors":"Julia Jimeno-Alda, Jose Antonio Navarro-Cano, Marta Goberna, Miguel Verdú","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07419-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07419-1","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>Plant-soil interactions play a pivotal role in governing ecosystem dynamics. Plants directly interact with rhizosphere microorganisms, providing them with labile carbon in exchange for mineral nutrients that are the product of decomposition. Such processes are modulated by ecological interactions between plant species in ways that are not fully understood. We assessed whether rhizosphere respiration rates, as a proxy for decomposition, are influenced by i) heterospecific versus conspecific plant interactions, and whether these effects are positive or negative, and ii) how these effects are linked to the identity and the below- and aboveground functional traits of the interacting plant species.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>We conducted a greenhouse experiment with 300 pairwise hetero- and conspecific combinations of ten Mediterranean herbs and shrubs species, covering a range of functional distances calculated based on 33 traits. In addition, we quantified heterotrophic respiration in the rhizosphere as a proxy of decomposition.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>Plant neighbour identity was the main factor explaining changes on respiration rates. Respiration increased along with the functional distance between heterospecific pairs of interacting plants when considering aboveground or nutritional traits. Morphological and belowground traits were not significant predictors of changes on respiration rates.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusions</h3><p>Interspecific plant-plant interactions lead to faster respiration rates in the rhizosphere as functional distance between neighbours increases. This study provides experimental support that functional trait dissimilarities between heterospecific neighbouring plants promote the rates of organic matter decomposition, showing cascading effects of aboveground interactions on belowground ecosystem processes.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143866980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimal sowing density and fertilizer rate can increase oat yield by improving root structure, water use efficiency and fertilizer productivity in semi-arid region","authors":"Ruochen Zhang, Yue Wang, Malik Kamran, Jianjun Wang, Tao Li, Guiqin Zhao, Chunjie Li","doi":"10.1007/s11104-025-07435-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07435-1","url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Aims</h3><p>To maximize the productivity of oats, and evaluate the effects of sowing density and fertilizer rate on the yield, root growth, leaf area index (LAI), water and fertilizer use efficiency of rainfed oats.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>In 2022 and 2023, a two-factor randomized block design field trial was conducted under no irrigation in Northwest China during the oat planting season. Three sowing densities (low density (L): 75 kg/ha; moderate density (M): 150 kg/ha; high density (H): 225 kg/ha) were coupled with six fertilizer rates (N0P0: no fertilization; N2P0: 100 N kg/ha; N0P2: 90 P kg/ha; N1P2: 50 N kg/ha, 90 P kg/ha; N2P1: 100 N kg/ha, 45 P kg/ha; N2P2: 100 N kg/ha, 90 P kg/ha).</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>The aboveground dry matter yield, grain yield, root length density, root surface area density, root biomass, leaf area index (LAI), water use efficiency (WUE) and partial N fertilizer productivity (NFP) increased by 9.9—204.1%, 4.2—90.5%, 9—48.8%, 15.8—45%, 18.6—24.5%, 14.9—78.9%, 17.8—43.8% and 15.8—248.3% respectively, under M-N1P2 compare with other treatments. The results revealed significant positive correlations (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) of DM and grain yield with root system, LAI, WUE and NFP. M-N1P2 increased the WUE and NFP by improving root structure and LAI, resulting in the highest DM yield and grain yield.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>The sowing density of 150 kg ha⁻¹ coupled with 50 kg ha⁻¹ N and 90 kg ha⁻¹ P is recommended in the semi-arid regions to promote oats production.</p>","PeriodicalId":20223,"journal":{"name":"Plant and Soil","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143866981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}